Countdown to kickoff: Sounders-Dynamo loser-out game at noon Sunday

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (12-7-12)AT HOUSTON DYNAMO (13-8-10)Noon Sunday, Robertson Stadium, Houston.TV: KING 5.Radio: 770 AM (in Spanish on 1210 AM).Head-to-head: Seattle is 2-0-2 in previous meetings, including one in the U.S. Open Cup. In their only game in Houston, the clubs tied, 1-1. Regular-season leaders: For Seattle – G 12, Fredy Montero; A 9, Freddie Ljungberg; S 86, Montero; GAA 0.92, Kasey Keller. For Houston – G 8, Brian Ching; A 12, Brad Davis; S 46 Davis; GAA 0.97, Pat Onstad. Coach Sigi Schmid on what needs to change from Game 1: “Finish our chances. Defensively, I think we have got to do a lot of the same things that we did against them here. We got to make sure we are still sharp on defending set pieces.”Notes: This is the decisive game of a two-leg first-round series. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, there will be 30 minutes of extra time. If the tie remains, the winner will be determined by penalty kicks. … Keller and Onstad are the only goalkeepers with clean sheets at this stage of the playoffs. … In the regular season, Houston tied Los Angeles for first in the conference, one point ahead of third-place Seattle. … Houston is in the playoffs for the fourth straight season and won MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. … Houston lost only one game at home during the regular season and is 4-1 all-time in home playoff games. However, the Dynamo’s 2008 season ended with a 3-0 playoff loss at home to New York. … Seattle is 5-0-1 over its last six games on natural grass. … For Seattle, defender Tyrone Marshall (knee) is listed as probable. For Houston, midfielder Ricardo Clark and forward Luis Angel Landin are near 100 percent fitness, while Corey Ashe has returned to full training and could play. … Montero, Brad Evans and Osvaldo Alonso picked up yellow cards in Game 1. If any of those players are cautioned, he/they would be ineligible in the next round. … Seattle is 2-0-1 in its blue kit, which it wore in its last visit to Houston. (I'd be surprised if we don't see blue again.) … Fans are invited to meet the Sounders at 10 p.m. Sunday when they are scheduled to return to SeaTac Airport. Fans should gather at the Arrivals Hall at the far south side of the terminal on the baggage-claim level. More information is available at soundersfc.com or a blog post below.Next: The winner advances to the Western Conference final against the winner of the Chivas USA-Los Angeles Galaxy series. The loser’s season ends.